The Southern Resident killer whale population is near the lowest it has been in 30 years.
SEATTLE — The recent death of a J pod orca calf highlights the plight of the Southern Resident killer whales, which have struggled to increase their population after it reached the lowest level in decades.
Researchers said Wednesday that mother orca Tahlequah was carrying her calf J61 after the female orca died. J61’s birth was confirmed just last week.
While the birth of a new Southern Resident calf is one to be celebrated, it also brings cautious optimism, as only about half of those births survive to adulthood.
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